Packaging apparatus



March 1953 G. J. BURSAK 2,827,742

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 G. J. BURSAK PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 In 'IIIIIIII'I'IIIIIIII 4 INVENTOR MO -M.

ATTORNEY March 25, 1958 G. J. BURSAK 2,827,742

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 \\\\\w k Q ATTOR NEY March 1958 G. J. BURSAK 2,827,742

PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 10, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY United tates PACKAGING APPARATUS George J. Bursak, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application December 10, 1954, Serial No. 47 4,569

Claims. (Cl.. 53178).

site-roll to form roll nips therebetween to impart longi-v tudinal seals to webs of flexible packaging passed between'the'rolls and a second pair of spaced rolls each including detachable axially extending circumferentially spaced platens that intermittently form roll nips. with platens on the-opposite roll to form transverse seals across the webs of packaging exiting from the first pairof rolls and passed between the second pair.

The useof flexible packaging materials, such as laminates havinga film of polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene to provide surfaces that may be joined to one another by the application of pressure and heat, are Widely used in production runs of very substantial volume. Highly complexmachines, each specialized for a particular size and form of package, are constructed and employed with little, if any, possibility of economical rearrangement for producing a wide variety of package sizes and shapes. As a consequence, it has not been feasible to package items inflexible packaging where production runs are short, or for the experimental work of producing limited supplies of samples, or where the desired production covers a variety of package sizes requiring frequent rearrangement of the packaging apparatus.

The adoption of flexible convenience packaging to a vast variety of new applications will readily occur with the advent of package forming and filling apparatus that may readily be adjusted to produce any of a variety of package sizes. It is a contemplation of the present invention to provide such an apparatus. To this end, one embodiment of the invention passes opposing webs ofpackagingmaterial, first between a pair of rolls that apply longitudinal seals to the webs that may be varied as towidth, spacing and number by simple adjustment, and secondly between a second set of rolls for forming transverse seals and completing the packages. The distance between and the width of the transverse seals may also be varied by simple adjustment, thereby permitting one to attain a wide range of package size in the use of one particular apparatus, without resort to either complex time consuming adjustment or modification of'the apparatus. The ease of adjustment is derived largely from construction features permitting undue complexities to be eliminated.

It is an object of this invention to provide package. forming apparatus that may be employed to form packages of flexible material in a variety of dimensional conr figurations.

It is another object of this invention to provide package forming apparatus that offers an economical means of performing short production runs with flexible packaging materials.

P ented, Mar. 25,. 1953 ine It. is another object of this invention to provide package forming apparatus that may be. readily adjusted. to form. packages of given dimension without extensive modification to. the apparatus.

It is another object ofthis invention to provide. package forming apparatus that requires a minimum of main: tenance that may be performed without the need of a special skills.

It is another object of this invention to provide package forming apparatus that may be economically constructed 1 at a cost feasible for employing fiexible packaging materials in a variety of. short run production, applications.

It is another object of this invention to provide pack age forming apparatus with improved heat transfer char.- actistics, for applying heat to the package areas being sealed.

The foregoing and other o jficts, andadvantages of the invention will appear in .the description to follow. In the description reference is made .to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof, and in which there is shown by way of, illus tration and not of limitation .a specific form in which the invcntionrnay be embodied.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view in elevation with parts brokenaway of package forming and filling apparatus embodying theinvention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view in section of the apparatus shown in Fig. lgviewed through the, plane .,2 2 indicated ,in, Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side view in. elevation and in. section ofthe apparatus viewed through the plane 33 indicatedin Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a front view in elevation and in section of a portion of the apparatus viewed throughthe plane 44 indicated in Fig. 3,

Fig, 5 is a view in plan and section of the apparatus viewed through the plane 55 indicated. in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan. view in section, of the apparatus viewed through the plane 66 indicated in Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in section of a roll and collar forming a part of the apparatus that is viewed through the plane 7-7 indicated in Fig, 5,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a severingknife forminga part of the apparatus,

Fig. 9 is a View in elevation ofa transmission for. operating the knife of Fig. 8 viewed througb. the plane 9-9, indicated inFig. 2,

Fig. 10 is an end view of a roll. forming apart of the apparatus, and

Fig. ll is an end view of the slip ringconstruction formed at the end of a roll shaft.

Referring now to the drawings, rising. upwardly from a main table platform 1 is a pairof spaced from frame members 2,. and a pair of similar rear frame members 3. that are spaced from one another sothat each is directly behind one of the members 2., A horizontal plate. 4.. bridges between the upper edges of the front and rear members 2, 3 at the left side of the apparatus, and a second horizontal. plate 5 bridges between the upper edges of the front and rear members 2, 3 at the. right side of the apparatus. Bolted to and extending upwardly.from-. the plates 4 and 5 is a pair of feeding apparatus 6. Each ap.-. paratus 6 includes a hopper 7 and a mechanism}. that measures out a predetermined quantity of material to, be packaged and delivers such 7 measured quantities through a discharge tube 9. The operation of each,.ap paratus 6 is accomplished by the rotation of an input: shaft 10,. The two shafts 10 forthe material feeding; apparatus 6 are driven in timed .relationwith the-packagev forming apparatus to be described, such that the measured quantities of material existing from the discharge tubes aging characteristics.

apparatus.

9 will be fed in timed relation to the formation of the packages whereby each package will receive its fill of material at the correct moment in the cycle of operation.

Extending forwardly from each of the front frame members 2 is a cantilever arm 11 between which is rotatably mounted a shaft 12 that carries a spool upon which is wound a web of flexible packaging material 13. .t The material of the web 13 includes a film of material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene, that responds to heat and pressure whereby opposing films may be bonded to one another to form seals between such opposing films. ,Usually, the material of the Web 13 comprises laminated layers of which the heat scalable filmis a laminate employed in conjunction with cellophane, metal foil'or other pliable substance having desiredpack- A second pair of cantilever arms 14 are mounted upon the rear frame'members 3 and supported between the arms 14, is a shaftlS that carries a second spool upon which is wound a web of flexible packaging material 16 that is like the web 13.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the webof material 13 is led over apair of guide rolls 17 and 18 and hence downwardly from the roll 18. To retain the web of material 13 from shifting axially a set of guiding collars 19 are fixed upon the rolls 17, 18 adjacent the edges of the web-l3, and thus there'is provided ameans for feeding the Web 13 into the The web 16 is similarly fed into the apparatus by leading the same over a pair of guide rolls 20 and 21 which carry guiding collars 22 disposed adjacent the web edges. From the guide roll 20 the web 16 turns downwardly and is in closely spaced relation .tothe web 13 with'the heat responsive films of each web 13, 16 facing "asserts a. M 7

are constrained to pass between the rolls 37, 38. The rolls 37 and 38 are constructed alike, and reference will now be made to roll 38 and Figs. 3 and 4, where the manner of construction of the roll 38 is shown. A pair of axially spaced rings 39 and 40 encircle the shaft 34 and seated upon the rings 39, 40 is a roll body 41' formed of a material having a high heat conductivity such asfor example, brass, aluminum or copper. The roll body 41 has a journal boxes 23 are mounted upon a pair of cross bars 24, and 25that extend between the frame members 2 and 3 at the left hand side of the apparatusand the frame members 2 and 3 at the right hand side of the apparatus.

To allow for adjustment, each of the journal boxes 23 may be shifted along the cross bars'24 and- 25, and also each of the guiding collars 19, 22 may be shifted along the 7 guide rolls 17, 18, 20 and 21 to accommodate webs of l material of varying width. V

Disposed beneath the cross bar 24, and also extending between the front frame 2 and the rear frame member 3 ,at the left hand side of the apparatus, is a cylindrical frame member 26. A similar cylindrical frame member 27 disposed at the same height as the member 26 extends between the frontand rearframe members 2 and '3 at the ginal portions.

right hand side of the machine. "Slidably mounted upon jclude bearing surfaces to rotatablysupport a hollow cylindrical .roll sha t 32 that extends therebetween and passes through each with overhanging ends. The right hand end of the shaft 32, extending beyond the forwardblock 33' receives agear and sprocket hereinafter described, and on the left hand end of the shaft 32there is mounted a set of slip rings 33 insulated'from one anotherand from the shaft 32. Rotatably borne by the rearward blocks 29 and 31 are the journals of a hollow roll shaft 34. The

shaft 34 passes through each block 29, 31 to present overhanging ends, similarly as the-shaft.32. .On the right cylindrical outer face 42 coaxial with the shaft 34 and also has a central opening 43 that disposes the inner wall sur faces of the roll body 41' at a' distance from the shaft 34. The rings 39 and 40 are selected froma material-having relatively poor heat conductivity, thus the roll body 41 is substantially insulated from the remainder of the apparatus, and only a minimum of heat evolved in the roll body 21 will be conducted to the shaft 34.

Extending axially through the roll body 41 is a set of four uniformly circumferentially spaced heating units 44. Suitable connections j'ointhe heating units 44 with the slip rings 35, and inserted in the connections is a thermostat 45'mounted upon one end of the roll body 41, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. A plurality of axially extending 'openings 46 extend through the roll body 41' in close Encircling the outer face 42 of the roll body 41 is a plurality of collars 47 of heat conductive material such as brass, aluminum or copper. The collars 47 have cylindrical serrated outer faces 43 concentric with the shaft 34, and fit closely about the outer face 42 with a snug fit to ensure an efiicientheat transfer from the body 41 to each of the collars 47. The collars 47 are also shiftable axially along the roll body 41 so that their positions may be changed at will.

To ensure that each of the collars 47 rotates with the roll body. 41 a key 49 is provided for each, as shown in Fig. 7, and to'retain the collars 47 in desired axial positions a set screw 59 isprovided for each,

which may be brought up tight against the associated key '49. As shown in thedrawings the three collars 47 are spaced, so that the two outer ones are aligned with the marginal areas of the webs 13 and 16, and the inner one is disposed at ,a desired position intermediatesuch mar- The roll 37 is constructed like the roll 33, and includes a set of four heating units 5.1 with apertures 52 that are uniformly circumferentially spaced. The roll 37 has a set of three axially shiftable collars 53, that are like the 1collars 47, of the roll 37; As shown in the drawings, 7

each of the cellars 53 is disposed opposite and in alignment with" a collar 47, so that each may roll against an opposite collar to provide a roll nip through which the webs 13 and lmay'be'fed for applying both pressure vand heatjto form longitudinal seals joining the webs 'To position the rolls'37 and 33 and to also provide for adequate bearing'pressure between the aligned collars 47,

53 means is provided for governing the position of the forward blocks 28 and 39 and the rearward blocks 29 and 31. For therearward blocks29 and 31 there is prohand end of the shaft 34is mounted a gear 35, and on the I left hand end of the shaft 34 there is'mounteda pair of insulated slip rings 36.

A cylindrical roll 37 is mounted on the shaft 32 betweenthe blocks 28 and 30 for rotation therewith, and is disposed just to the front ofth'eweb 13. .7 A similar cylindrical roll 38 is mounted upon the shaft 34 and is disposed closely adjacent the web 16, so.that the .websrl3and 16 as they travel downwardly, from the guide rolls 18 and 21 vided a pair of threaded shafts 54 and 55 that pass through the rear framernembers 3 with one end of the shaft 54 hearing against the block 29 and one end of the shaft 55 An adjustmentknob 5'7 completes each shaft 54,55.

For the forward'blocks' 2t; and 39 there is provided a 1 pairof threaded shafts58,and..59, the:shaft-58 extending loosely through an opening inthe left side framesmember 2 .and the shaft 59 extending loosely throughan opening in the right side 'frametmember 2.. The inner endof the shaft 58-bears against theblock 28 and the inner end of the shaft59 bears against theblock 30. To provide a bias force necessary to urge theblocks 28, rearwardly each shaft 58, 59 is fitted with a nut 60 tothe inside of the associated frame member 2 and a spring 61.is,inter posed between each nut 60 and the back or inner face of the associated frame member2. The spring bias afforded by the compression spring 61 acts ,upon, the nut 60v and:. hence upon the shafts 59, 58 to urge'thesamerearwardly. against the blocks 28, 30. A pair; of wing nuts 62.;are. in threaded engagement with each, shaft 58, 59, which may be set to limit the rearward stroke of the associated. shaft 58, 59. Completing each. shaft 58, 59 is an adjustment knob 63.

To provide heating current for the. heaters 44 of the roll 38 and the heaters 51 of the roll 37a bracket 64..is.

secured to the top of the block 28 and a set of brushes 65 i are mounted thereon that are in engagement with the slip rings 33. Suitable connections are made-between the brushes 65 and a power source. Similarly, a bracket 66 is mounted on the block 29 and a set of brushes 67 are mounted in engagement with the slip rings 36. Connections with a power source are also provided for thebrushes 67.

As the webs 13 and 16 are led downwardly from the guide rollers 21 and 18 respectively theyare passed between the roll nips formed by the collars 47 on the roll 38 and the collars 53 on the roll 37. The rolls 37, 38 are turned in opposite directions, as hereinafter described, and the collars 47 and 53 are separated from one another by the web of material being fed therethrough by the roll action. The serrated faces of the collars 47, 53 then bear against and squeeze the webs with considerable pressure. As the webs 13, 16 are fed between the rolls 37, 38 heat is applied thereto, as well as pressure, and the heat sealable films on the webs 13 and 16, which are facing are thus heat treated to form longitudinal heat seal seams that adhere the two webs 13 and 16 to one another.

Disposed directly beneath the two longitudinal heat sealing rolls 37 and 38 is a second pair of rolls 68 and 69, employed for imparting transverse seals to the webs 13 and '16. The rear roll 69 is shown in both Figs. 3 and 4 and will therefore be described, it being understood that the roll 68 is constructed in similar fashion. 69 has a pair of rings '78 and if that are mounted upon a shaft '72 and spaced from one another to support the ends of a tubular roll body 73. A material of high heat con-. ductivity is selected forthe roll body 73, similarly as in the instance of the bodies for the upper longitudinal seam forming rolls 37 and 38, and by forming the rings 70 and 71 of a material of relatively low heat conductivity heat evolved within the roll body 73 will not readily dissipate to the shaft 72. The roll body 73 houses a set of four uniformly circumferentially spaced axially extending electrical heating elements 74. Each element 74 extends for the entire length of the roll body 73 for adequate heat distribution, and spaced between the heating units 74 are four apertures 75 similar to the apertures 46, 52 in the. longitudinal seal rolls 37, 38.

Cut in the outer face of the roll 69 is a set of eight axially extending shallow fiat bottomed recesses 76 that are uniformly circumferentially spaced. In the bottom of each recess 75 is a set of tapped attachment openings 77 adapted to receive attachment bolts 78. The attach-H ment bolts 7 8 are employed to secure a number of platens, 79 within the recesses 76. Each platen 79 has a-fiat level base thatlfits snugly within the associated recess 76 so as to permit a tight intimate contact with the roll] body 73 over a substantial surface area for efficient heat. transfer from the body 73 to the particular platen 79. Each platen 79 has a radially outward serrated face 80;

The roll pleted.

'6 andather number. of serrated, faces. .80 presented a by;-the.:-: roll 69 maybe changed at will. by readily .removing or; inserting the splatens 79 by means of the attachmentbolts, 78.

The rollv 68,.similarly as the roll 69, includes aset -of. four heating elements .81 and uniformly -spacedraxiallyu extending-apertures 82. Also, the surface of -t.he ,roll;- 68 is formed with a set. of shallow axially extendingrecesses 83, and a number of detachable platens 84,-Which, are identical to the platens 79, are-provided to fit within. the recesses 83. The platens 84 may be attached or 'de-t tached by means of attachment bolts .85.

As shown in Fig, 3, when a platen 84 of the roll; 68. is at the: rearmostgposition, inv its-rotation a platen1,79. on the roll 69 isat its. forwardmostposition in :its; rotae tion. With. the rolls 68, 69 driven in oppositedirections; successive platenson each will be broughtv into'opppsing relation to intermittently form roll nipswith thelwebs 13and 16 being passed downwardly-through-the nips. Thus, the webs l3 and 16 will be intermittently pressed, against oneanother between the serrated faces of the opposing platens 79, 84 and heat will be imparted thereto to cause a formation of evenly spaced transverse-heatseals, and a succession of closed packages 86 are com- 1 In the use of theapparatusillustrated in'the: drawings three collars are employed on each. roll 37, 38;- to formv two tubes that are fed to the lower rolls 68, 69. Thus, upon the formation of each transverse seal apair; of packages 86 are completed, which in the instance il lustrated are of different width due to the spacing of the collars47, 53,

The shaft 72 for the roll 69 is rotatably supported in, a pair of bearing blocks 87 and 88. The bearing block- 87 is slidably mounted upon a cylindrical frame member 89 that extends between the frontmember2 and the; rear frame member 3 at the left hand sideof the ap paratus, and the bearing block 88 is similarly supported by a cylindrical frame member 90' extending between, the front frame member 2 and rear frame member 3 at the right side of the apparatus. The cylindrical frame; members 89, 90 are directly beneath the frame members 26'aud 27 respectively. To positiontheblocks 87 and; 88 on the frame members 89, 90 a pair of threaded shafts. 91 are provided that extend through and are in threaded; engagement with the rear frame members: 3. The for; Ward end of each shaft 91 bears against one of the blocks; 87, 88 and a set of wing nuts 92 is mounteduponeach: of the shafts 91 to set the shafts .91 in position. An; adjustment knob 93 completeseach shaft '91.

The roll 68 is mounted upon a roll shaft; 94-:WhiQ11; in turn is rotatably mounted in a bearingblock; 95; at; the left hand side of the apparatus anda bearing block, at the right hand side of the apparatus, which is not shown; The bearing blocks for the shaft 94 are. borne by-the cylindrical frame members 89 and 98, and to provide;- a bias acting against these blocks, to urge the-,rolh 68g;, toward the roll e9, there is provided a pair :of threaded-:3, shafts96 that are similar to the shafts58 forthetrollg 37. Each shaft 96 passes loosely through a front frame; member 2 and includes a nut 97 with. a compression s ring 98m develop a bias force. To limit shaft, travel: a set of wing nuts 99 is threaded upon each; shaft 96; An ad ustment knob 16% completes each shaftassemblyr.

To provide a source of current for the heating elements '74 and 81 of the rolls 68, 69 slip ring constructions areprovided such as shown in connection Withthe roll 69 in Fig. 4. A bracket 101 is attached to the top of the block 87 to provide a mounting for a pair of brushes 382. Electrical connections are then made between the; brushes 102 and the heaters 74 through a thermostat 103, mounted upon the end of the roll 69. Insirriilarfashion electrical connections are provided for the heaters 81 of the roll 68.

A left hand frame member 184 that rests uponthe 'table platform 1 extends between the front frame member zand'the rear-framemernber at the left harid iside of-the apparatus: Similarly, another framememberl rsts upon the table platform 1 and eiitends between the front frame member 2 and the rear frame member '3 at'the right side of the apparatus. Extending between 5" member 109 and the plate'108to. the-shaft 106'is'a set.

of three bolts 110 that are threadedlv received"by the Tliere'is idmbnmed uponthe roll shaft 94 a sprocket:

142, The sprocket-142 drives a sprocket chain 143 that travls'fabout'asprocket 144 on the input shaft 145 of a.

transmission 146 that is clearly shown in Fig. 9. The input sha ft l45 is :rotatably borne by two upright arms 147mm 148 ;-of a transmission bracket 149 bolted to the table platform 1. Also rotatably borne by the transmission bracket 149 is an output shaft 150 that is disposed 'directly benea:th the shaft 145. The shaft 150 is axially shiftable,' and'as it is shown in Fig. 9 it is in the extreme right hand position.- To shift the shaft 150 set screws in a right hand collar 151 and a set screw in the hub of an output sprocket'152 are loosened.- The shaft 150 is then moved to the left and upon disposing the same in desired h ft 10 s that the-knifg membgr 1 09 may be dposition the set screws of the collar 151 and the hub of .justed to dispose its knife" edge 111 in'de sired position receive the bolts 110, 1 v V Rotatably supported betweenthe frame members 104 and 105 is a knife shaft 113 that extends through the member 105 to mount a sprocket wheel 114. Secured upon the rotatable shaft 113 is a revolving knife blade 115 that has a cutting edge'116 adapted to be brought past the edge 111 of theknife member 109. The knife a series of slots 112 are provided in the member 109 to blade 115 is adjustable in its position upon the shaft ll3zand is retained in position by a set of attachment bolts 117, that are received by theshaft 113. The shaft 7 113 is fiattened,'similarly as the shaft 106, so that a small plate 113 may be set thereon to stabilize the knifeblade 115 in its positionw The knife assembly described is be revolved at a speed $11611 that Cutting OPEI'atiOIIS Will directly beneath the transverse sealing rolls 68 and 69, so as the packages 86 are formed they pass along the knife edge 111. The shaft 113 is rotated, so that the knife blade 115 will sever the packages 86 by cutting across the transverse heat seals just as they pass the edge pulley sheaves 12.1. A belt 122 extends from the pulley sheaves 121 to a set of pulley sheaves 123 mounted in driving relation upon a shaft 124. Shaft 124 is rotatably mounted at its right hand end by a'support 125and at its opposite end by a bearing bracket 126'mounted 'at the and the knife blade 115 Wlll be doubled to match the 7 upper left hand corner of the left hand front frame member 2. Fixed upon theshaft 124, to rotate therewith, is a pair of large sprocket wheels 127 and 128. The sprocket wheel 127' is in driving engagement with the right hand material feeding apparatus 6 through a sprocket chain 129 and a sprocket'130 on the respective shaft 10, and

a 134 mounted upon the roll shaft 94 through a sprocket chain 135.' The shaft 94- mounts a gear 136 that is in mesh with a gear 137 on the roll shaft 72 of the roll 69. The gears 136 and 137 have a like number of-teeth and hence the rolls 63, 69 are rotated at uniform speeds in opposite direction. In this manner the platens 79, 84 carried on the rolls 68 and 69 will be retained in their aligned relation so as to mate with one another as they roll toward and into contact with the webs 13 and 16 to form transverse seals and to move the webs 13, 16 downwardly.

Also mounted on the shaft 94 is a sprocket 138 which is. in driving relation to a sprocket 139 on the shaft 32 of the upper longitudinal heat seal roll 37 through a sprocket 141. A gear 140 on the shaft 32 is in mesh with thetwo rolls 37, 38 will be moved with like rotational V i velocity in opposite directions so that the collars .7 and V side material feeding apparatus 6.

the output sprocket 152 are again tightened.

Thetransinission gearing'compris'es a set of three primary gears 153, 154 and 155 mounted upon the inputshaft'145 to rotate therewith, and a set of secondary gears 20 156, 157 and 158'that are fixed with respect to the output 38 andthe transverse heat seal rolls 68, 69.

With the gear 155 of the transmission 146 in mesh with the gear 158, as shown in Fig. 9; the knife blade will be performed at intervals equivalent to the fre'quency of forming a transverse seal by the mating of a platen 79 and a platen 84, in the instance where four platens are mounted on each roll 68, 69 as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, a cut will be performed'for' each completed package. Thus, for the situation where four, platens are mounted upon'each roll 68 and 69 a cutting motion will be per-- formed four times for each single revolution of the. rolls 68, 69, If the number of platens on the rolls 68, 69 be doubled, by inserting additional platens within the recesses that are unused in Fig. 3, then the transmission output shaft should be shifted to bring the secondary gear 156 in mesh with the primary gear 153. The number of revolutions per unit time of both the shaft 150 0 transmission 146 should be shifted to bring the gears 154 V and 157 into mesh. The number of revolutions per unit timeof the'knife blade 115. will then be halved so that the number of cutting strokes will again match the rate of forming transverse seals.

To fill the packages 86, as they are being formed, a pair of fill tubes 160 and 161 are passed between the upper rolls 37 and 38.. The tube 160 is disposed between the left hand collars 47, 53 and the central collars 47, 53 and the'other tube 161 is disposed between 'theright hand 0 collars 47, 53 and the central collars 47, 53. The tube 160 extends upwardly to receive material flowing through the tube 9 exiting from the. left side material feeding apparatus 6, while the tube 161 extends upwardly to receive material discharging from the tube 9 of the right In the formation of the packages 86 the longitudinal seals are continually appliedto the webs 13 and 16, and in the particular illustration of the drawings, there is formed three longitudi-nal seals that will divide the webs 13 and 16 'into a.

' the like gear 35 on the shaft 54 ofthe roll 33, and hence 70 left'handtube and i a right hand tube of Smaller mension. As'the webs 13 and 16 are formed into tubes,

suchtubes surroundthe fill tubes 160 and 161 and pass a downwardly between the transfef seal rolls 68 and 69. A first transfer seal for a package will be formed by a pair 7 75 .of-platens 7 9, 84 comingtoward one another and pressing rotated through the transmission 146 with a speed related to the rotation of both thellongitudinal heat seal rolls 37, V

assay ta.

thelwebs 13. and 16therebetween inresponse to the vpressure of ,thersprings .93. As this first transfer seal for a pair of adjacentpackages 86 is completed each material feeding apparatus 6 will discharge-the necessary amount of material to fill the respectivepacka-ges. After the packages are filled the top transverse seals for the packages will be formed by the next pair of mating platens rolling towardone another and against the webs 13 and 16. This transverse seal forms the bottom transverse seal for the succeeding, pair of packages and as the formed packages 86 depart downwardly from the transverse seal rolls 68, 69 they are severed by the motion of the knife blade 115.

The invention provides an apparatus that may be readily adjusted for varying package dimensions to permit economical use of short runs of different package requirements. The width of the packages, for example, may be quickly andeasilyaltered by loosening-the collars 47 and 53 -on the longitudinal heat seal rolls 37 and 38 and shiftingthemaxially thereof. Also, a greater or lesser number of packages may be formed across the width of the webs of material by employing more or less collars.- If it is desired to sever adjacent packages made by emplo ing three or more collars on each roll 37, 38 a stationary slit k-nife, not shown, may be inserted between the upper and lower sets of rolls.

The platens 79, 84 on the transverse heat seal rolls 68 and 69 may be quickly removed or reinstalled to vary the length of the packages being formed. For example, if it is desired to make packages of twice the length of those shown in Fig. 3, all that need be done is to quickly remove oppositely disposed platens on each of the rolls 68, 69. Upon making such an adjustment the transmission output shaft 150 is likewise adjusted to bring the knife movement into agreement with the intermittent sealing operations of the platens.

ltwill be noted. that as opposing platens 79, 84 on the rolls 68, 69 are brought into engagement they press upon the webs 13 and 16. As these platens then move away from one another the rolls 63 and 69 will not move into engagement since the gears 136 and E37 will not permit this degree of latitude in the shift of the rolls 68, 69. Thus, the packages as they are filled may be easily accommodated between the spaced surfaces of the rolls 68, 69. If it' is desired to alter the width of the transverse seals, this may readily be accomplished by removing the gear 137 and rotating the rolls'69 a slight amount to be ad vanced with respect to the roll 68. The gear 137 is then readily replaced. Also, the longitudinal seams may be varied in width by slightly offsetting the collars on one upper roll 37, 38 with the collars on the opposite upper roll.

Theapparatus of the invention also lends itself to high rates of production. The upper rolls 37, 38 and likewise the lower rolls 68, 69 are each rotated with a constant speed, in but one direction. The drive for the rolls need not be subject to. accelerations and decelerations, with the consequence that backlash is eliminated to permit highspeed operation.

An additional advantage of the invention resides in the effective heat transfer between the heating elements 44 and 51 of the rolls 38 and 37 and the collars 47 and 53 carried upon these rolls. The rolls 37, 38 are of large radial-dimension to provide heat reservoirs that tend to stabilize temperatures, and the collars 47, 53 are of smaller radial extent so that heat may rapidly pass from the rolls to the outer faces of the collars 47, 53 that press upon the webs 13, 16. It has been found advantageous to make the radial-extent of the collars less than one-third of the radial dimension of therollbodi'es of the rolls 37, 38 to gain the foregoing advantage. Likewise it is also of advantage to-restrict the radial protrusion of the platens 79; 84 of the rolls 69, 68 to within one-third of the maximum radial dimension of the roll bodies of the rolls 69, 68.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for forming acka es the combination of means for leading a pair of Webs of flexible heat scalable material into facing relation to one another; a pair ofradially spaced longitudinal seam forming heating rolls between which a pair of webs is passed,- which rolls each comprise a rotatable shaft, a heat conductive roll body having a cylindrical outer surface mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and having.

an axial length greater than the width of flexible webs.

to be heat treated thereby, and a plurality of heating ole-- ments embedded in said roll body for distribution of heat. thereto; a plurality of collars of relatively high heat con-- ductivity encircling each roll body, each collar havinga.

close sliding fit for axial shift along the respective roll body whereby the collars may be shifted for axial spacing from one another corresponding to desired spans between longitudinalv heat. seals and for alignment of collars onopposite rolls whereby aligned collars press flexible webs passed therebetween against one another and transfer heat thereto from the. roll bodies to form longitudinal seals in the webs; and a pair of. radially spaced transverse seam forming rolls between which webs are passed after exiting from between the longitudinal seam forming rolls, which rolls eachcomprise a rotatable roll body with heating elements embedded therein and a plurality of platens.

that extend radially outward from the rolls to present facing sealing surfaces on such rolls to intermittently press. webs therebetween and transfer heat thereto to form. transverse seals.

2. In an apparatus for forming packages the combina.

tion of means for. leading a pair of webs of flexible heat sealable material into facing relation to one another; a

pair of radially spaced longitudinal seam forming heating rolls between which a pair of webs is passed, which:

rolls each comprise a rotatable shaft, a heat conductiveroll body having a cylindrical outer surface mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith and having an axial length greater than the width of flexible webs to be heat treated thereby, and a plurality of heating elements embedded in said roll body for distribution of heat thereto; a plurality of collars of relatively high heat conductivity encircling,

each roll body, each collar having a close sliding fit for. axial shift along the respective roll body whereby the collars may be shifted for axial spacing from one another corresponding to desired spans between longitudinal heat. seals and for alignment of collars on opposite rolls:

whereby aligned collars press flexible webs passed therebetween against one another and transfer heat thereto from the roll bodies to form longitudinal seals in the webs; a pair of radially spaced transverse seam forming heating rolls between which webs are passed after exiting from between the longitudinal seam forming rolls, which an axial length greater than the width of the webs to be, treated thereby, which platents extend radially outward from associated rolls to present facing sealing surfaces;

on such rolls to intermittently press webs therebetween and transfer heat thereto to form transverse seals.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 whereinthe radial extent of'the collars encircling the roll bodies of the longitudinal seam forming heating rolls is less than. one-third the radial extent of said roll bodies.

4. An apparatus accordance with claim 3 wherein the radialextent of said platens is less than one-third. the radial extent of the roll bodies with which they are associated.

game

'5. In an apparatus for formingpackages the combination ofmeans for leading a pair of webs of flexible heat scalable material into facing relation to one'another; a pair,

comprise a rotatable shaft, a heat conductive roll body having a cylindrical outer surface encircling the shaft with an inner surface spaced from the surface of the shaft to inhibit heat transfer from the roll body to the shaft and having an axial length greater than the width of flexible webs to be heat treated thereby, a plurality of supports of small circumferential cross-section relative to said roll body extending radially from said shaft and mounting the roll body in said spaced relation to'said shaft, and a plurality of heating elements embedded in said roll body for distribution of heat thereto a plurality of dollars of relatively high heat conductivity encircling each roll body, each collar having a close sliding fit for axial shift along the respective roll body whereby the collars may be shifted for axial spacing from one another corresponding to desired spans between longitudinal heat seals and for alignment of collars on opposite rolls where 'by aligned collars press flexible webs passed therebetween against one another and transfer heat theretoifrom the roll bodies to form'longitudinal seals in the webs; a pair of radially spaced transverse seam forming heating rolls between which webs are passed after exiting from between the longitudinal seam forming rolls, which rolls each comprisea rotatable shaft, a heat conductive roll body encircling the shaft with an inner surface spaced from the surface of the shaft to inhibit heat transfer from the roll body to the shaft and having an axial length greater than the width'of a flexible web to be heat treated thereby with 'heat emitting surfaces on the outer face thereof, a plurality of supports of small circumferential cross-section relative to said roll body extending radially from said shaft and mounting the roll body in said spaced relation to said shaft, and a plurality of heating elements embedded in said roll body for distribution of heat thereto; a plurality of platens detachably securable in tight abutting relation to the heat emitting surfaces of the roll bodies of the transverse sealing rolls that are of an axial length greater than the width of the 'webs to be treated thereby, which platens extend radially outward from the associated rolls to present facing sealing surfaces on such rolls to intermittently press webs therebetween and transfer heat thereto to form transverse seals.

' 6. An apparatus in accordance with claim whereinv the radial extent of the collars encircling the roll bodies of said longitudinal seam forming heating rolls is less than one-third the radial extent of such roll bodies.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the radial outward extent of said platens is less than onethird of the radial extent of the roll bodies to which they are detachably securable. i V

8. An apparatus intaccordance with claim 5 having a severing knife'disposed in the path of webs exiting from between said transverse seam forming heating rolls; andoa drive for said knife including transmission gearing 7 having an input rotated at a speed at an integral multiple of transverse seam forming roll rotational speed, a set of gears having a plurality of input gears driven by said 'input and a plurality of output gears to be alternatively 'meshed with the input gears to derive varying output speeds, the gear ratios being proportional to the number 7 V of heat emitting surfaces on one of'said rolls, and an output in driving'r'elation to said knife that is driven by said output gears. a

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which the heating elements embedded in each roll body, for both longitudinal and transverse heat sealing rolls, are

uniformly circumferentially spaced from one another and extend axially for substantially the entire length of the roll body, and in which each roll body has axiahopenings therein interposed between the heating elements bodies at the radius of the heating elements.

thereby reducing the cross-sectional. area of the roll:

' it). In an apparatus for forming packages the combinationof meansfor leading a pair of webs of flexible] heat sealable'material into facing relation'to one another;

a pair of radially spaced longitudinal seam forming heating rolls between which said pair of webs is passed, which rolls each comprise a shaft mounted for rotation in a direction opposite that of the shaft of the other roll, aset of axially spaced radially extending supports of relatively low heat conductivity carried on and rotatable with said shaft, a roll body having a cylindrical outer' ductivity and extending for an axial length greater than the width of flexible webs to be heat treated thereby, and a plurality of heating elements embedded in said roll body that extend for substantially the entire axial' length thereof and are circumferentially spaced for even heat transfer to the roll body; a plurality of collars of relatively high heat conductivity encircling each roll body, each collar having a close sliding fit for axial shift along the respective roll body whereby the collars may be shifted for axial spacing from one another corresponding to desired spans between longitudinal heat seals and for alignment of coha'rs on opposite rolls whereby aligned;

collars press flexible webs passed therebetween against 7 one another and transfer heat thereto from the roll bodies to form longitudinal seals in the webs, eachcollar having an axial extent substantially like that of the width,

of a seal to be made and having a mass that is small compared to that of a roll body; a pair of radially spaced transverse seam forming heating rolls between which webs are passed after exiting from between the longitudinal seam forming rolls, which rolls each comprise a shaft mounted for rotation in a direction opposite that of the shaft of the other roll, a set of axially spaced radially extending supports of relatively low heat conductivity.

carried on and rotatable with said shaft, a roll'body that encircles and is coaxial with the shaft and which is mounted by said supports of low heat conductivity for rotation with the shaft and with the roll body held in spaced relation from the surface of the shaft to inhibit heat transfer from the roll body to the shaft, said roll body having relatively high heat conductivity and extending for an axial length greater than the width of a flexible web to be heat treated thereby with heat emitting surfaces on the outer face thereof, and a plurality of heating elements embedded in said roll body that extend for substantially the entire axial length thereof and are circumferentially spaced for even heat transfer to the roll body; a plurality of platens of relatively high heat conductivity detachably securable in tight abutting re-' lation to the heat emittingsurfaces' of the roll bodies of the transverse sealing rolls that are of an axial length greater than the width of the webs to be treated thereby, which platens extend radially outwardrfrom associated Williams Sept. 23, 1952 2,626,494, -Lewis Jan. 27, 1953 2,657,510.

Lewis Nov. 3, 1953 j 

